At a Glance
- Tasks: Support systems engineering projects and gain hands-on experience in a real engineering environment.
- Company: Join Thales, a global tech leader shaping the future with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Earn £24,000 while studying, enjoy flexible working, and receive comprehensive training.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with excellent career growth and volunteering opportunities.
- Why this job: Turn your passion for engineering into a rewarding career with a recognised qualification.
- Qualifications: A Levels with a minimum of 112 UCAS points, including Maths and a STEM subject.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 24000 £ per year.
Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Start Date: 6 September 2027
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)
Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that combines academic study with exciting on-the-job experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Benefits of the programme:
- Earn a salary while studying for your degree
- Gain hands-on experience in a real engineering environment
- Receive job-specific training and development
- Achieve a recognised engineering qualification
- Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
- Have your university tuition fees fully paid
About the Role
As a Systems Engineering Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to become a confident and capable engineer. Working as part of our Systems Engineering team, you will support the delivery of systems and equipment solutions, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Supporting systems requirements and design activities
- Contributing to project reviews
- Participating in system testing and validation activities
- Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
- Visiting customer sites, platforms and installations to support surveys, trials and system deployment where required
- Working with experienced engineers on live projects
What You Will Learn
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:
- Professional engineering behaviours and industry best practice
- Understanding and working with complex engineering systems
- Different engineering roles and activities across live projects
- The Systems Engineering Lifecycle and key engineering processes
- Requirements capture, requirements management and system design techniques
- Systems engineering tools and methods
- Testing, integration, verification, validation and qualification (IVVQ) activities
- Structured and methodical approaches to problem solving and investigation
Degree Apprenticeship Programme
You will study towards the BEng Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with The University of Warwick, following the Product Design and Development Engineer pathway. The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining:
- On-campus teaching (approximately 12 blocks of 3 days)
- Virtual coaching sessions
- Online learning resources
Programme structure
This is a broad programme, designed to provide a strong multi-disciplinary engineering foundation prior to moving onto a more specialist pathway.
- Years 1 and 2
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Materials and Design
- Computational skills
- Years 3 and 4
- Progress onto the Design and Development Engineer specialist pathway
Throughout the four-year programme, you will combine university study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills. Aligned to the IET accreditation requirements, this degree will support those looking to become a Chartered Engineer in future.
Entry Requirements
To apply, you will need:
- A Levels
- Minimum 112 UCAS Tariff points at A Level, including a grade B in Maths and at least one further STEM or engineering subject
- GCSEs
- Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above
- Must include: English Language, Mathematics, Additional STEM subject
Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
- Performance-related pay uplifts
- Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
- Contributory Company Pension
- Health Care Cash Plan
- Hybrid/flexible working options
- Employee assistance programme
- Learning and development support
- Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
- Life Cover
- 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.
Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements. To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.
To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.
In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government-mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.
Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.
Systems Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship in Cheadle employer: Thales
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Glasgow where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a performance-related bonus and generous leave policies, and a commitment to inclusivity, Thales empowers its employees to thrive while contributing to critical projects in the Sea sector. Join us to be part of a team that values your unique strengths and supports your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship in Cheadle
✨Get Hands-On at Local Workshops
Don’t miss out on local engineering workshops and hackathons! They’re a brilliant way to learn something new, meet fellow aspiring engineers, and often, company reps will be scouting for fresh talent. Plus, you can mention your hands-on experiences at these events during your interviews!
✨Join Engineering Societies and Clubs
Get involved with engineering societies at your school or in your area. These communities often host talks, networking events, and even competitions, which can open doors to apprenticeship opportunities. Plus, chatting with industry professionals is never a bad idea!
✨Show Off Your Passion Online
Consider starting a blog or a social media account where you can share your engineering projects, ideas, and learnings. This not only demonstrates your passion but also your initiative. Share the link on your application to really showcase who you are!
✨Don’t Wait, Apply Early!
Apprenticeships often have early application windows, so keep an eye on Thales’s website and get your applications in as soon as you can. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to secure an interview and land that coveted position!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship in Cheadle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an engineering apprenticeship at Thales, make sure to highlight any relevant technical skills and subjects you've excelled in. Include specific projects or coursework that demonstrate your understanding of engineering principles—anything from physics projects to CAD designs can really make your application stand out!
Include Your Learning Experience:Since this is an apprenticeship, we want to see how keen you are to learn. In your cover letter, talk about what you hope to gain from this opportunity at Thales and how it aligns with your career goals. Don’t be shy—express your enthusiasm for getting hands-on experience!
Tailor Your CV for Engineering:Make sure your CV reflects your passion for engineering. List relevant coursework, skills, and any hands-on experiences like workshops or engineering clubs. Feel free to use a clear and structured layout so it's easy for the hiring team at Thales to see your qualifications at a glance.
Keep it Visual—If Possible!:If you've worked on any engineering projects, consider including visual elements in your application—like pictures, graphs or even a small portfolio link. This isn’t mandatory, but visuals can help us appreciate your work and problem-solving skills more effectively!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Showcase Your Passion for Engineering
Since you're applying for an apprenticeship, it’s crucial to demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for engineering. Be ready to talk about any projects you've done, be it in school or in your spare time, as this shows your commitment and eagerness to learn on the job at Thales.
✨Get Hands-On with Technical Questions
Expect some technical queries related to basic engineering principles. Brush up on subjects you’ve covered in your studies, such as materials science or thermodynamics. They might throw a scenario your way to gauge how you would approach solving a problem—don't be afraid to think aloud!
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
Apprenticeships often require working in teams, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with others in school or during any group projects. Share specific examples that reflect your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively, as this is highly valued in engineering roles at Thales.
✨Ask About Learning Opportunities
Make sure to prepare some questions about the apprenticeship itself, like how training will be structured or the types of projects you'll tackle. Showing curiosity about your growth will impress the interviewers at Thales, demonstrating that you're ready to dive into the learning experience.
